Russell Willis produced and published a number on important underground cartoon magazines in the 1980s. He moved to Tokyo in the early 1990’s where he now runs a web based publishing company in Tokyo. UK underground cartoonist, Simon Mackie, who… Read More ›
Creating Comics
Articles on creating comics, how tos, reference information and more
British Comic Heroes: The Return of Garth
In August 2008, after a long gestation period, adventure hero Garth returned to British newspaper The Mirror – albeit, for now, only on the publication’s web site. Here, artist Huw-J talks to John Freeman about the new strip and his… Read More ›
War of Words: An interview with Calum Laird
In December 2007 I was fortunate enough to interview Calum Laird, who edits DC Thomson’s Commando. The interview was conducted as research for an article about writing and Calum was very generous with his time. I felt it seemed a shame to waste… Read More ›
Ron Smith in Book and Magazine Collector
The long running series of articles on Great British Comics Artists by David Ashford and Norman Wright in Book and Magazine Collector has reached part 28. This time the subject is Ron Smith and it is the first time that… Read More ›
Tube Surfing: Remembering Michael Turner, Virgin’s Dan Dare Collection
Scurrying around the web for comic related news, so you don’t have to
Creating WebComics: A Brief Guide
In 2007, I was part of a panel at the Birmingham International Comic Show and there was plenty of advice offered on web comics creation, and I figured it was high time I shared some of it on downthetubes. Many… Read More ›
Turn Your School Magazine into a Comic Book
Former Marvel Comics UK editor Tim Quinn will be holding storytelling and comic book creation sessions at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax on Saturday 5 July 2008 from 9.00 am through the day, as part of the line-up for the Calderdale… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Mike Western
Sad news via Steve Holland’s Bear Alley: one of the giants of British comics, Mike Western, has laid down his pen for the last time. Mike, who suffered a heart attack in 2007 and was laid low by it for… Read More ›
By Sea, By Land, By Air: An Interview with Calum Laird
This interview was first published on 9th April 2008 on downthetubes and was merged with this blog in 2013. First published in 1961 Commando is Britain’s last war comic. Indeed, of those British comics that many of us grew up with,… Read More ›
In Memoriam: Comic Artist and Colourist Steve Whitaker
British artist and colourist Steve Whitaker is, I am deeply sorry to report, no longer with us. Steve died on Thursday after becoming unwell on the way to his doctor’s. The loss has left family, friends and the comics fans… Read More ›
Paul Cornell in the Writer’s Room
Doctor Who (and now Primeval) writer Paul Cornell – who among other things is pitching a new series to the networks accoridng to his blog – has just been interviewed for the BBC Writer’s Room site and by Forbidden Planet… Read More ›
Hanging around as The Doctor!
That time Sylvester McCoy probably broke several Health and Safety rules…
Hi-Ex 2008: High Excitement In The Snow
The Inverness comic convention Hi-Ex really couldn’t have chosen a worse weekend weather-wise with heavy snow, high winds and sub-zero wind chill in the days leading up to it but, despite loosing some guests and dealers to the weather, it… Read More ›
Comic artist Bill Mevin Interviewed on “The Time Meddler” DVD
“The Perishers” and TV Comic “Doctor Who” artist Bill Mevin is one of several comics creators interviewed on a special release of the Doctor Who story The Time Meddler, released 4th February 2008 in the UK. This is the first… Read More ›
Patrick Stewart Supports Classical Comics’ Macbeth
Acclaimed Shakespeare actor and Star Trek star Patrick Stewart has applauded Classical Comics’ pioneering work
Dan Dare, Yesterday’s Hero, Returns!
Yesterday’s hero is back. Everyone’s favourite space adventurer, Dan Dare, returns this month in a new action-packed series from Virgin Comics and top creative team Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. Matthew Badham caught up with the Ennis and Erskine to… Read More ›
Ian Gibson Column: Mobile Phones and Dan Dare
Ian Gibson goes mobile. Comics, that is…
Sean Blair reveals Commando secrets
Commando Picture Library writer Sean Blair has just provided downthetubes with a terrific piece on his experiences writing Commando. Special thanks to Sean for taking time out to write the piece, which includes some useful tips on writing Commando. Also… Read More ›
Albion Artist Shane Oakley Interviewed
In the third of three exclusive features marking the recent release of Titan and Wildstorm’s Albion collection — interviews with writers Leah Moore and John Reppion, and IPC’s Andrew Sumner were published earlier this month — artist Shane Oakley offers… Read More ›
Titan Magazines Seeks New Talent
Titan Magazines, UK-based publisher of the originated Wallace & Gromit Comic and such best-selling licences as The Simpsons, Futurama, SpongeBob SquarePants and Star Wars, will be expanding its range of originated comics based on high-profile TV and movie properties in 2007. The company is now seeking versatile… Read More ›